TE NUI NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7216, 25 July 1902, Page 2

TE NUI NOTES.

Opening of the First Anglican Church. A Memorable Event. Some Interesting Particulars of Former Ministrations. Incidents in Past History of the District. An Auspicious Inauguration. Settlers Present From Long Distances. Sermon by Rev. J. C. Andrew. Description of the New Place of Worship. Tribute to the Energy of the Anglican Community.

(By Our Special Correspondent),

The districts of Castlepoint (forty-three miles from Masterton) andToNuL (thirty miles from Masterton) have been settled for upwards of fifty years ; but, owing to the land being hold in large blocks, they have never had a largo population. The principal runs in the district aro Castlepoint, Mataikona, To Nui, lea, Langdale (now owned by the Government), lllairlogio, Manawa and Anncdalo. This largo district, of more than a thousand squaro miles, has been absolutely without a place of worship, except a small iloman Catholic Church, built more than twenty years ago. The religious history of the district, though very interesting, is told in a few words. Probably the first to carry the message of Christ's religion wastheßov. Win. Ilonaldson, whoso work, by the old settlers, will long be remembered. He was the right man for pioneer work—a good horseman, a good preacher, a kindly genial man, afraid of nothing except dishonouring his Master; who could work with his hands as well as his brains, and whoso name deserves to be associated with that pioneer liishop whoso name will always live in the history of the Anglican Church—G. A. Selwyn. 'lie was followed by two Presbyterians, who paid occasional visits with the messago of Jesus Christ.

Between 30 and 40 years ago the Bey. J. C. Andrew, M.A., acquired the lea property, and truly the coming of Mr Andrew was a blessing to the district. A tall, somewhat slender, figure, with fine head and strong voice, who thoroughly understands the trials, difficulties and temptations of the people, his words have always been helpful and comforting. During the past thirty years a very large number of the younger generation have been baptized and married by Mr Andrew. First at Rock View (Flag Creek), and Seven Oaks (Mr Cripps') and latterly at The Hall, Tinui, and the Whareama Schoolroom, MiAndrew has preached the gospel of God's love and forgiveness. This gentleman's name will long be held in high honor by the residents of a very large district.

Soon after the Bey. W. Earee took charge of the Parish of Masterton, it was felt that so large a district ought to have a resident clergyman. As soon as possible, tho Bishop of Wellington paid a visit to Bush Grove and Tinui, and met a number of church people, who decided to canvass the district. A large amount of interest was shown, and sufficient support promised to warrant tho Bishop appointing a clergyman. The next tiling was to find d suitable man. Most of the work would havo to be done on horseback. The district was large, much of it very hilly. The roads in winter were very bad, and altogether it would bo no easy post ior any clergyman.

How often has it been proved in the history of God's Church that no sooner is there a special work ready for a man, than God has a man ready for the work. It was so in this case. About this time tho Bishop of Wellington received an offer of service from a clergyman who had considerable experience in Western Canada, who had been accustomed to long rides over the prairie of tho wheatgrowing province of Manitoba, but whose health would not stand the extreme cold of the winters. Here was the very man, and the Bishop lost no time in accepting his services. The Bey. gentleman arrived in Wellington on New Year's morning, 1899, and two days later came on to Masterton, where he was met by the Rev. W. Earde, who rlrnvn him out to his new sphere of labour at To Nui. For three and a half years tho work has gone on, and now from the Hawke's liay boundary on the Coast, to Tβ Awaito there is scarcely a house or whare, but is ready to welcome tho Bey. J. H. Sykes. At tho end of two years labour it was felt that the time had come when an effort ought to be made to build a church at Tinui, the centre of the mission, and a Committee was formed to carry out the work.

Plans were prepared by Mr J. S. Swan, Wellington, and the contract was let to Mr 0. E. Daniell, Maeterton. The Church, which is one of the prettiest wooden buildings in the Diocese of Wellington, consists of nave, chancel, porch and vestry at the south-west corner, and bell cote with weather vane, including the cock which is so common on many churches in England. The nave is 33ft x 20ft; the chancel, 13ft x 13ft; porch, 6ft 6in x 6ft 3in; vestry, Bft x 7ft; heignt of bell cote, 50 feet. The roof which is covered with French Marseilles tiles, with a bold ridging, gives the building a pretty appearance. The tiles were supplied by Messrs Briscoe, McNeil and Co., Wellington.

The interior of the Church has also a very neat appearance, and when fully furnished, will look remarkably well. The windows are filled with deep red, blue and gold Muranese glass. The pews, which are of rimu, aro oiled and open at the end. The altar rail is a cross insido a Gothic arch. The lecturn, which is of carved rimu, is the gift of the Vicar. Thero is also an artistic Glastonbury chair, the gift of a few frionds. Tho altar cross is also the gift of an anonymous friend. The offertory dishes are the gift of Mrs and Miss Fannin, of Masterton. Among interior fittings still wanted are the following:— Font, pulpit, bell, organ, communion vessels, alms dish, service books, chancel carpet, kneelers, etc.

The opening service took place on Wednesday at 2.30 p.m. Long before that hour, however, the people began to arrive. Some came thirty miles, others twenty miles, many came over ten miles, and two earnest sympathisers had travelled all the way from Wellington. Upvvards of two hundred people were present, and the Church was taxed to its utmost capacity, the aislo being filled with chairs, many standing at the back and filling the porch. The following clergy were present: — Rev. J. C. Andrew, M.A., Boy. P. 0. W. Earee, Rev. J. Walker, M.A., Eev. J. H. Sykes, Vicar, and Mr James. Niohols, Layreader, from Eketahuna.

The Clergy robed at the Hall, and, preceded by irembers of the vestry, walked across to the Church.

The service commenced with the singing of the well-known hymn " The Church's One Foundation,"

The first part of the prayers were read by tho Bpv, W. Earcie, the remainder by the Rev. 'J. Walker. The lessons wore read by Mr Nichols and tho Rev. J. H. Sykes. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. C. Andrew, from tho words in Genesis, 12th chapter, 7-8 verses— "And the Lord appeared unto Abraham, and said; Unto thy seed will I give this land ; and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared untq him. And he removed from thenoo unto a mountain on tho east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the West and Hai on the East; and thoro he builded an altar unto tho Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord."

In the course of an earnest discourse, worthy of the occasion, the preacher pointed out that in erecting beautiful churches for the worship of God, we were doing exactly what Ahram did thousands of years ago. And that if religion was to be maintained amongst us, it was necessary to have the outward symbol, where we can meet together and enoourago each other in tho fight against sin. In drawing to a close, Mr Andrew sa ia ; —<> We are told in the Bible that in the latter days mon shall be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. I am afraid these days are very near, if we havo not already entered upon them. In years gone by the quarrel has been between different sects of Christians; in the coming years tho struggle will bo between all Christians on the one side and the fqrees of Infidelity and worldlinoss on tho other. If you cannot always attend tho services of tho Church, do not omit private and family prayer. At least once a day ci'3ct the family altar and call upon the nanio of the Lord. Tho preacher olosed by making an earnest appeal to the mothers to teach their children suitable hymns, which would never be {orgottou by them.

Miss Kean presided at tho organ. Tho collection, which was on behalf of

tho Building Fund, amounted to JEI7 Os

4d. Afternoon tea was providod by thfl ladies of tho congregation. Tho Vicar desires to sincerely thank all thoso who holpod to make tho day such a great success.